Opening statements in the trial of Robert Pape and Cristin Smith, both 29, charged with the 2006 murders of Jon Hayward, Vicki Friedli and Vicki’s daughter Becky in Pinyon, began Monday. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Three counts of murder, with a special circumstance allegation of committing multiple murders, were filed on June 8, 2016, against the two men. If convicted, both men face life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office press release.
Charges were originally made in March 2014, but later dropped in the fall. After being elected district attorney, Michael Hestrin had the case reviewed. New evidence was collected and the charges filed in 2016.
Becky’s body was found burning in a wheelbarrow outside the house. The other bodies were found inside the burning home. The autopsies, conducted in September 2006, revealed that all three were assaulted and may have died from the injuries before the fire.